5 Reasons Businesses Still Hate Enterprise Software

Houston, we have a problem: Businesses have major issues with the enterprise software they're paying millions of dollars to implement and support, according to new Forrester data. The solution? More software!

2. Difficult Upgrades: 87% said it was a "significant" or "very significant" business problem.

Forrester Comment: "While upgrading the packaged apps will extend their useful life and provide relief from vendor-imposed version support deadlines, the upgrade process itself is often disruptive and expensive."

3. Poor Cross-Functional Processes: 86% said it was a "significant" or "very significant" business problem.

4. What the Apps Deliver Doesn't Match Business Requirements: 80% said it was a "significant" or "very significant" business problem.

Forrester Comment: "While packaged applications are mature in many of the core ERP areas (such as finance, procurement and HR), most customers still find gaps that must be addressed via customization or workarounds."

5. Inflexibility Limits Process Change. 75% said it was a "significant" or "very significant" business problem.

Forrester Comment: "Inflexibility tends to be more acute in older legacy packages, as well as modern packages that have technically complex tools for workflow and business rules configuration."

Unfortunately, Hamerman offers an (unintentionally) ironic and sobering fix for all the app issues that are ailing companies.

"Better technology will address some of these concerns over time, as better process configuration tools and flexibility appear in the packages," writes Hamerman. "Most customers, however, will not see significant improvements unless they invest in major upgrades or replacements with next-generation packages."

More software investment? Given all the aforementioned business app issues, that shouldn't be too hard to get approved in next year's budget.

Do you Tweet? Follow me on Twitter @twailgum. Follow everything from CIO.com on Twitter @CIOonline.